Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell will keep faith with the players that enjoyed a comfortable win over Surrey when he names an unchanged team for this week’s crucial LV County Championship match against Hampshire at Trent Bridge.
Newell masterminded a Championship win in 2005 only to endure relegation in 2006 before securing a return to the top flight in 2007.
Four members of Nottinghamshire’s 2005 Championship winning team - Chris Read, Graeme Swann, Samit Patel and Mark Ealham – will be involved against Hampshire as will Charlie Shreck who missed the entire campaign with a back injury.
Regardless of bonus points, Notts know that a win will bring the title back to Trent Bridge.
“We’ve got ourselves into a good position and we’re looking forward to getting into the game and trying to win,” said Newell.
“There’s no point in saying that this is ‘just another game’ because it’s not. We are aware of the consequences of winning the match but we have to play good quality four day cricket to enjoy those consequences.”
“If we win the match, we don’t have to worry about anybody else. We’ll keep an eye on other scores but we know it’s in our own hands.”
Will Jefferson and Bilal Shafayat will open the batting for Notts with Mark Wagh and Ashwell Prince completing the top four. In form seam quartet Charlie Shreck, Darren Pattinson, Andre Adams and Mark Ealham will also look to play a key role.
“The players have played very well and we’ve beaten some good sides,” said Newell.
“We’re feeling confident about our game and we know that we’re contenders. We’ve found some good batting form and we should be feeling confident. We’re on our own ground and we have to perform to the standards that we set for ourselves.”
Nottinghamshire team to face Hampshire: Will Jefferson, Bilal Shafayat, Mark Wagh, Ashwell Prince, Samit Patel, Graeme Swann, Chris Read (wkt / capt), Mark Ealham, Andre Adams, Darren Pattinson, Charlie Shreck
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